A day in the life of a shelter dog

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.

Humane Society of St. Lucie County Shelter Manager and Certified Veterinarian Technician Jackie Lyman temperament tests Minnie Thursday at the facility in Fort Pierce. During the test, a toy arm pets the dog and is placed near its face while it eats to see how the animal will react. Results of this and other tests help staff determine what kind of home best suits each dog.

Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mixed breed, enjoys some fresh air on Aug. 21 while her kennel is cleaned. Minnie's first few days at the Humane Society of St. Lucie County were spent in the shelter's quarantine area, where staff evaluate dogs before they are put up for adoption. Minnie became available for adoption on Aug. 29. She was adopted and left the shelter with her new family on Sept. 5.

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.

Thousands of animals make their way through the Humane Society of St. Lucie County each year. Minnie, a 5-year-old Brussels Griffon mix breed, was one of them. See some photos from her stay at the shelter before her adoption on Sept. 5.